FULL APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT ON 3 DECEMBER 2018

The LEADER programme is due to close in 2019 and projects that are at Full Application stage must have these submitted by 3 December 2018.

The Local Action Group (LAG) reserves the right to invite a number of new expressions of interest to be submitted. The LAG would only be able to consider these potential projects should funds become available. The date for submission of these would be 7 December 2018.

The LEADER programme is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Opportunity Peterborough and Rutland County Council have secured up to £1m in LEADER funding to support farmers, growers, foresters and other local rural businesses and community organisations to help create jobs, develop rural business and support the rural economy.

Grants worth between £2,500 – £50,000 can be awarded from the LEADER funding programme. In exceptional cases where projects can demonstrate a higher rate of outputs and fit with the Local Development Strategy we are potentially able to award a grant of up to £75,000.

The Local Area Action Group, made up of13 membersfrom the public, private and third sectors will approve funding for projects. The LAG aims:

“To achieve a vibrant, sustainable and diverse rural economy that builds on the area’s wealth of natural, cultural and heritage assets and is characterised by a high quality of life, a varied landscape and has a sense of place and inclusive and connected communities”

How do I apply?

LEADER will fund farmers, growers, foresters and other local rural businesses and rural community organisations to help:

Create jobs

Develop rural businesses

Support the rural economy

Applications can be made for grants of £2,500 – £50,000.

In exceptional cases where projects can demonstrate a higher rate of outputs and fit with the Local Development Strategy we are potentially able to award a grant of up to £75,000.

Projects should have a local strategic fit, the Local Development Strategy which can be found HERE explains this in more detail.

Follow the steps below to check your eligibility for funding:

1. Are you located within the Peterborough and Rutland LEADER programme area?

Click HERE to view the LEADER area map. The mapped area includes eligible rural areas of Peterborough, Rutland, Yaxley and Farcet. If you are still unsure whether you are located within the rural Peterborough and Rutland area, email sheila.o’brien@opportunitypeterborough.co.uk

2. If you are in the Peterborough and Rutland LEADER area and meet one of the six priority areas as listed below and in the Local Development Strategy:

Increase farm productivity

Support for micro and small businesses (non-agricultural) and farm diversification

4. Email your completed EoI to Sheila.o’brien@opportunitypeterborough.co.uk.
Please note: all expressions of interest must be received by 31 August 2018 to allow enough time for the full application and approval process ahead of the funding programme closing in 2019.

If you have an idea or a project that will help to boost the rural Peterborough and Rutland economies by creating or sustaining jobs, growing the visitor economy or strengthening our rural communities, please contact Sheila O’Brien at Opportunity Peterborough, on:

LEADER is one stream of funding available, the ESIF strategy which can be found HERE places LEADER in context alongside other EU funding available locally, including via the Rural Development programme.